Collapsible carton



March 15, 1960 E. L. ARNl-:soN

COLLAPSIBLE CARTON Filed Jan. 29, 1958 2 Sheets-ShedI 1 IVENTOR.

March 15, 1960 E. 1 ARNEsoN COLLAPSIBLE CARTON- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 29, 1958 INVENTOR.

United States Patent COLLAPSIBLE CARTON Application January 29, 1958, Serial No. 711,924

' 3 Claims. (Cl. 229-31) l This invention relates to packaging and is more particularly concerned withimprovements in a collapsible tray-like receptacle or carton section which is formed of paperboard or similar material and which is adapted for use in packaging merchandise of various kinds.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a collapsible tray-like carton section which is formed from a blank of paperboard or similar material wherein greater strength and rigidity is provided in the set up carton andV wherein an improved method of forming the carton is employed which facilitates the manufacture of the same.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide an open top tray-like carton section formed from a paperboard blank which is cut and scored to provide, when erected, a bottom wall, upright side and end walls and a foldable end panel structure for connecting the side Aand end walls at each of the corners thereof which end connecting structure comprises two panels of genf erally triangular form which are hingedly connected to fold upon each other and which have adjacent edges hinged to the adjacent corner forming edges of adjoining side and end walls, the triangular panel which is connected to the end wall being folded inwardly upon the inside face of the end wall and being secured thereto and having a relatively narrow integral flap at its top edge which is folded down upon the face thereof and secured thereto.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a collapsible tray-type carton member which is formed from a generally rectangular paperboard blank cut and scored to divide the same into a series of connected rpanels which provide, when erected, upstanding side and end walls hingedly connected to the peripheral edges of a bottom wall and end connecting structures at each corner, the side walls being of a depth which is greater than half structures each comprising a generally rectangular secltion which is divided by a diagonal fold line into two generally triangular panels with the panels being hinged to the adjoining side and end walls and with the panel which is hinged to the end wall being adapted to be adhesively secured to the inner face of the end wall and having a flap hinged to the upper edge thereof which is foldable into face engaging relation therewith and which is adapted to be secured thereto to provide a triple thickness of material along the outer margin of the end wall which insures adherence of the triangular end connecting panel to the end wall when the side walls of the carton are folded into collapsed condition on the bottom wall and the collapsed carton is passed between pressure rollers in a standard folding and gluing machine on which the cut and scored blank is folded and glued.

It is a further object of the invention to provide improvements in the method of manufacturing a collapsible tray-type carton of the character described on standard folding and gluing machines wherein reinforcing aps are provided on the top edges of the carton corner connecting structureswhich are'folded over onto the con- I ICC material in portions of the end wall areas so that the adhesive coated panels in these areas will be subject to suliicient pressure While passing between the pressure rollers of the folding and gluing machines to insure that the adhesive will be effective and bond the panels to each other in these areas as it sets during the passage of the carton between the pressure rollers.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the carton and the method of forming the same which is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings where- 1n: l j Y Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tray-type carton member having incorporated therein the principal features of the invention;

Figure 2 is al fragmentary cross section taken on the line 22 of Figure l, to a greatly enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a paperboard blank which is cut and scored to provide the carton illustrated in Figure l;

e Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of an end portion of the carton in the folded and collapsed condition prior to Abeing set up; and t Figure 5 is a perspective view, largely schematic, illustrating the method of folding and gluing the cut and scored blank to produce the carton in a collapsible condition.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is illustrated a. carton member 10 which is in the form of an open top tray and which is adaptedrto form half of a two part telescoping carton, the other half (not shown) being of similar tray-like form and having slightly different dimensions so as to telescope therewith. The details'of the tray 10 will be best understood by reference to the manner in which a blank of paperboard stock is cut and folded to provide the panels for forming the bottom and the upstanding wall structure associated therewith.

Referring then to Figure 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated a blank 11 of paperboard or similar sheet material which has sufficient stiffness to be self sustaining and which is cut and scored to provide a series of hingedly connected wall forming panels. The blank 11 when cut and scored as shown in Figure v3, is sym`V metrical about longitudinal and transverse center lines a-a and b--b. It is divided by the transversely spaced, longitudinally extending, parallel score lines 12 and 13 which are on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line d-a and parallel therewith and which define the side edges of a bottom and end wall forming portion of the blank. Longitudinally spaced, transversely extending, parallel score lines 14, 15 and 16, 17 cooperate with the score lines 12 and 13 to divide the center section of the blank into a bottom forming panel 18, adjoining end wall forming panels 19 and 20 and Vouter end wall reinforcing panels 21 and 22 which are hingedly connected to the inner end wall forming panels 19 and 20, respectively, on the transverse score lines 14 and V17 and which have at their terminal end margins relatively narrow aps 23 and 24 separated from the panels 21 and22, respectively, by transverse score or perforation lines 25 and 26 which are parallel with the score lines 14 and 17 Y and which are spaced inwardly a short distance from the end edges of the blank.

The longitudinal score lines 12 and 13 separate from the central section of the blank side marginal sections 27 and 27' which extend in a transverse direction outside of the score lines 12 and 13 and which are cut and scored in an identical manner `to provide the sidewalls for the carton and also foldable panel structures for connectingthe side and 'end walls at each corner of the car- Patented Mar. 15, 1960,

. 3 ton. Since the two side y 1 of the blank are identical only one will be described, the

corresponding elements on the otherbeing indicated `by the same numerals primed. The side marginalsection 27 is subdivided by the longitudinally entending-sedie line 28, which is parallelwith andV spaced outwardly ofl the score line 12, into inner and ou'ter'panels and the latter is subdivided longitudinally 'byY transversely .ein u tending` end portions 29'V and 30V of the transverse Vseo're lines and 16, lwhich terminate adjacent opposite ends Q f` the longitudinal scorefline 28. The blank section n27 is also cut away at 'both its outsidev corners so that the V score lines `divide it into a main side' wallr panel 31, a side wall 'reinforcing panel 32 and two corner connecting pnel'structu'res 33 and 34, which are lncated atrthe oppositeendsvof thefr'ain sidewall panel V31 and' which yare subdivided in an identical niannei'; VTh'e inner or main side wall panel "31 is dened by the score vlines 12, 28, 29 `and 30 andthe outer or reinforcing side wall panel 32 is hinged to the saine along' the score line.28 which forms the top edge of the side wall when the carton is set up. The reinforcingV panelz32 is stibstantially' the marginal sectionsV 27 and 27' kwhich results asindicated at 47 in Figure 4,from the same width or depth as the side 'wall panel slxbnt is cutv Y away at the ends softhat it is slightly less in the longitudinal dimensin.V The panel forming por'tins of the side marginalysection-27 which provide the corner. connecting structures 33 and:34 are formed in an identical mannerand only'one will be described in detail;` Theco'rner` connecting portion `34 oftheblanklies tiuts'ideoftheY end portions and 35 of theintersecting transverse and longitudinalascore lines with the corner `of the b lanl'c' f being cut awayvto remove thematerial at the end f the side wall reinforcing panelSZandpart of the material at the end. of the inner-.fend wallpanel 22. The remain-1.35

tion line 364to provide two panels 37 and 38 which are Y g ing material -is divided by adiagonal score-or perforaof generally triangular shap'efwith ltheir inner adjacent edges denned bythe scorre lines 30 and 35, respectively,

so that the two triangular panels .37 and 38 are hinged along adjoining'edges tothe end and sidewall panels ,20- and 31, respectively, on the score lines 35 and 30.

. rn the-fern nf engagement with the ,inner facesof `the endmwall formingfpanels 19 and 20 to which they are to be adhered,

with the reinforcing tabs 42 overlying the end wall panels V21 and 22. The direction of movement of the blank is then changed so that'it advances at aY right angle to the original direction of movement and glue is applied to the exposed faces of the reinforcingaps 42. There- Yafter the end wall panels 21 and 22 are folded .upwardly r and inwardly aboutv the scorelines" `14 and 17,- respectivelyaby theffolder plates at 45 which folds'the reinforcing flaps 42 over onto theffce's of the triangular panels 37. YThis provides an additional thickness f ,inaiteiial in theareas adjacent the fscore lines 14 and 17 which results in suflicient pressure being applied by the 'pressure roll-` ers at 46 to adhere the panels 37 to the end wall panels, particularly at the corners, when-th glue sets, theflaps 42 compensating for the extra thickness of material,

ovelpping'of the panels 38 in the area adjacent the fold li'ries`1f5 and 16. The naps 42V, pf course, reinforce 'the top edgepo'rtion of the end walls in the set up condition eftheenrtnn. .Y j f the carton Yillustrated the reinforcing flaps Y42 'are' hinged'to the corner connecting panels 37. lterua'telyLhe reinforcing naps may be hingedt the end 'wall4 panelsV 21- and 22 and -adhered vtothe sanie;

Y Also,`the sizeof these pnelsfmay be varied so long as theyeservetocompensate for the extra thickness of ma# Whilerspecic materials andparticular details of construction arereferredto in describing" the form of the carton. illustrated, it will be understood that other ma` terials and Vequivalent details frconstrctionrmay be'ree sented to within the spint nf the invention` Outer portionsof the panels 37 and 38 are cut awayralong e the diagonal 'line- 39 which `is substantially perpendicular to the diagonal hinge line 36 and along the longitudinal line 4 0- which is parallel with the corner forming score line 35. The triangular panel 37 lwhich isY hinged to the endof the end wall panel 19 is scored orperforated on e the transverse line 41 whichis substantially aligned with thetransverse score line 17 to form on the edge` thereof` i a reinforcing flap or tab 42', `the'latter being. taken from the `material adjoining the end ofjthe endwall panel 22 nd 'being hinged on the scoreline 41. The-outside cuttingline 40 is' located relativer to theYV longitudinal score line '12 so that the distance betweenthese two` linesfr does not exceed one-half'the distance between the v longitudinal score lines 12 and; 13.

Thecut and scoredblank 11 is provided with adhesive l and folded into the collapsed condition in which it is Ysupplied'to the user on conventional straight' line foldingand gluing'machines, Vportions of which are illustrated schematically in Figure 5 of the drawings. v 11` is first advanced in the direction of itslongitudinal The blank I claim:

'1. A collapsible ty type cntainei' formed from Ya" paperboardY blank which iscu't and'scored to provide a seriesof connectedV panels forming,'when erected, a re'c Y tangular `bottom v wall, Aupstanding fside and-end wlls hinged tQ- theperipheraLedges of said bottoin wall, and

Vconnecting panels'at each corneijoining the` adjacent up right corner Vforming edges of saidjrsideV and end walls,-

sad connecting panels at each corner comprising tw''` hingedly connected generally triangular panel portions foldable upon eachother andlhaving adjoining edges con'- nected tothe adjacent edges. offadjoining side and end wlls the triangular"h panels Vwhich a're connected t`o the i the side wallwhich is greater than one half thefkdimension Vof thezend wall lalong that edgeof the fend wall.V

whichis hinged to the bottom wallwhereby said triangti'f lar panels Vhave overlapping `portions forming aduble thickness of material, and with theV triangular panels i' `Whichvare connected to the end walls each having a di-y axisand` glue is applied as illustrated to the faces Vof the siderwall panels 31 and 31' and triangular sections 37 of each of the corner connecting panels. As the blank ,isi advanced inthe longitudinal direction the sideV wall reinforcing panels" 32y andV 32' Aare'foldedqabout` the score lines 28 and 28 by the folder plates ori plow'sindic'atedsat 43 onto` the adhesiveV covered faces `of they inner side wall panels 31 and V31. The panels311and 31 are: then folded successively about the' score lines"1`2` and-L 13 bythe folder plates at 44 to. bringithemfinto. overlyingV relation:` withthe; bottom wall1panel'- 18` V'and withftheir margins overlapping This@ operation brin-gs t-he:r glue mension in the direction normal' to` the corner forming edge of the endrwall which does not exceed one halfthe dimensionof the end wall in the corresponding direction whereby said triangular panelsfplie in the same. plane,

and. r'elativelyfnarrowJ reinforcing aps secured in overlyingrelation en. the triangular panels which are connected to theend walls,'said reinforcing tlaps having a e diiii'nsion` in the direction normal to the cornerf forming ,edge'of the end wall which-does not exceed the corres spending dimension ofthe-triangular panel to" which they fare secured s asto form with thesme adouble thickne-ss .er material in areas of thefendvwau ansias f the nnenapping pnninsjnf the triangular` panels' which are cemented tntnesidelgwnus:

blank being cut and scored to divide the same into a series of connected panels forming, when erected, a rectangular bottom wall and upstanding side and end walls hinged to the peripheral edges of said bottom wall, said blank being divided by parallel transversely spaced, longitudinally extending score lines into a center section and two side marginal sections,y the center section of said blank being subdivided by parallel, longitudinally spaced, transverse score lines into a bottom wall panel, end wall panels adjoining opposite ends of said bottom wall panel, and end wall reinforcing panels adjoining said end wall panels, the side marginal sections of said blank being divided into side wall panels hinged along opposite side edges of the bottom wall panel, side wall reinforcing panels hinged to the opposite edges of the side wall panels, and corner connecting panels joining adjacent end edges of said side and end wall panels at each corner of the blank, said connecting panels at each corner comprising two generally triangular portions on opposite sides of a' diagonal score line which extends diagonally outwardly of the corner of the bottom wall panel, the triangular panel portion which adjoins the side wall panel having a dimension transversely of the blank which exceeds'half the corresponding dimension of the end wall, the triangular panel portion which adjoins the end wall panel having a dimension transversely of the blank lwhich does not exceed half the corresponding dimension of the end wall panel, and a relatively narrow reinforcing ap extending along the transverse edge of said last mentioned triangular panel portion and which is adapted to be foldedtdown over the inside face of said last mentioned triangular panel portion when the blank is folded to form the carton.

3. A method of forming a collapsible tray type container from a paperboard blank which comprises cutting panels in the collapsed condition of the carton, said con-V necting panels at each corner comprising two panel members of generally triangular form which are hinged upon each other about a diagonal fold line and whichV have adjoining edges hinged to the corner forming edges Aof adjacent side and end walls, providing a reinforcing and thickness increasing tab at each outer corner of each end wall panel, applying an adhesive to the faces of the corner connecting panels which are hinged to the end walls, folding the side wall panels and the corner connecting panels over upon the bottom wall and end wall panels while moving the blank in a longitudinal direction, moving the partially folded blank in a transverse direction and applying anl adhesive to the exposed faces of the reinforcing and thickness increasing tabs, folding the reinforcing and thickness increasing tabs over upon` the corner connecting panels which are hinged to the end walls so that they are positioned in areas adjoining the portions of said panels which are overlapped, and passing the portions of the folded blank having said reinforcing and thickness increasing tabsv thereon between pressure rollers.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Nerenberg Sept. 13,` 1955 Weiss Oct. 30, 1956 

